New research suggests that sleep apnea may disrupt the liver’s natural metabolic rhythms, potentially impacting how the body processes energy. A study published February 25, 2026, in Science Advances, conducted by researchers at Université Grenoble Alpes, the Inserm, and the CHU Grenoble Alpes, details how intermittent oxygen deprivation reorganizes the liver’s biological clock.
Researchers utilized a mouse model of chronic intermittent hypoxia to analyze the effects of sleep apnea on the body throughout the full day-night cycle. They focused specifically on the liver, a key organ in energy regulation, employing multiple analytical approaches to track changes in its metabolic activity over time.
The study found that intermittent hypoxia alters major energy pathways, including glucose and lipid metabolism. More significantly, it profoundly modifies the circadian organization – the body’s natural adaptation to the day/night cycle. “For example, metabolomic analysis reveals that nearly half of hepatic metabolites exhibit a 24-hour rhythm, and more than a third of them acquire a new rhythm under intermittent hypoxia,” according to a statement from the Inserm. “This redistribution of metabolic rhythms throughout the day reflects a genuine temporal reprogramming of liver activity and highlights a previously underestimated dimension of sleep apnea.”
These findings open new avenues for research in the field of chronomedicine, a developing discipline that aims to tailor medical treatments to each individual’s circadian rhythms. The researchers suggest that these metabolic reprogrammings may alter the body’s response to certain medications, impacting blood sugar levels or lipid metabolism. This raises the question of whether the timing of medication administration should be reevaluated for individuals with sleep apnea.
According to the study authors, integrating a temporal dimension into the management of sleep apnea is now necessary. The research underscores the complex interplay between sleep disorders and metabolic health, potentially influencing future treatment strategies and personalized medicine approaches.
Fécondation in vitro : l’importance d’être bien dans sa tête avant de démarrer le parcours (Vidéo)
